Annual Report Highlights Strong Job Growth Across the Energy Sectors Powering American Industry and Economic Growth
September 3, 2026
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WASHINGTON—This Labor Day, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is celebrating the hardworking men and women who power America with the release of the 2026 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER). The annual report highlights strong job growth across critical energy sectors at the heart of President Trump’s Energy Dominance agenda.
America’s most reliable energy sectors are adding jobs and powering industries across the country. These critical sectors deliver the affordable, reliable, and secure energy that American families, businesses, and industries depend on. After years of decline under the previous administration, America’s coal and nuclear power workforces are growing again under President Trump’s leadership.
“Energy is the sector that enables every other sector of our economy, and America’s energy workers make it all possible,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “These hardworking men and women keep our lights on, our factories running, and our economy growing. President Trump’s Energy Dominance agenda is putting them first and delivering the affordable, reliable, and secure energy America needs.”
Energy careers are also delivering bigger paychecks for American workers. The median energy-sector salary reached $63,000—24% higher than the U.S. median salary.
America’s growing energy needs are creating the jobs of the future. The 2026 USEER’s new Future Outlook chapter highlights rising demand for skilled energy workers and growing competition for talent across energy and other expanding industries. These trends are opening new pathways to high-paying, skilled careers for American workers. As energy demand grows, America’s energy workforce will power the next generation of American industry, innovation, and economic growth.
Highlights from the report include:
• The median energy-sector salary was $63,000, 24% higher than the national median salary of $51,000.
• Natural gas transmission and distribution added 12,500 workers, growing employment by 5%.
• Nuclear power added 2,300 workers, growing employment by 4%.
• Coal power generation added 2,800 workers, growing employment by 5%.
• Electric power transmission and distribution added 17,900 workers, growing employment by 2%.
• Enrollments in apprenticeship programs continued to increase—new registered apprentices within the construction industry were 9% higher in 2025 (112,000 new apprentices) than in 2024 (103,000 new apprentices).
Mandated by Congress, the USEER provides data at the national, state, and county levels across five energy sectors: Transmission, Distribution, and Storage; Electric Power Generation; Fuels; Energy Efficiency; and Motor Vehicles and Component Parts.
The 2026 edition adds information on wages, methodology, and anticipated hiring. The study combines a survey of approximately 42,000 establishments with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other labor-market sources.
Read the full report and learn more at https://www.energy.gov/useer.